Christmas With The Mertz's And So Long 2009!

Christmas morning was so much fun! Just Josh, Ty, and myself at home in Fort Knox! Ty woke up on Christmas morning to find that Santa Claus brought him presents! He was very happy, and he loves his new "Encore Elmo" that Santa brought him!

Christmas morning

We got to celebrate Christmas with our Mertz side of the family the Saturday after Christmas. Meemaw, Pawpaw, Aunt Michelle, Uncle Jay, Cousin Maddie, Uncle Billy, and Aunt Kelly made the trip to Fort Knox. Again, there were way too many presents...especially for Ty! He is so spoiled! Unfortunately, I didn't take very many pics. :-( I guess I was just too preoccupied playing hostess, and Josh playing host. Here are some I did get:

Taking a picture of Maddie, who is taking one of me with her new camera!

Ty playing with his new Thomas

Maddie and Ty-Ty shooting hoops with Ty's new toy

Ty got some cute jammies from Meemaw and Pawpaw that have the button-down flap on the butt with his name embroidered on it. We think they're too cute! :-)

We wanted to say thanks to both sides of our families for coming to us this year for Christmas. It meant the world to us that you came down! We love you!

So, the week after Christmas has been a busy one for us. Josh is still off work this whole week (he took leave for 2 weeks...thank goodness!), and we have been trying to get some last minute projects done before Bib Dos gets here. One thing we accomplished was finally getting his room set up! Here it is:

Thanks to Mamaw and Papaw Kinsel for the new crib set! It is adorable, and we love it!

Josh and Ty have both been sick this week (Josh with a bacterial infection and Ty with an ear infection), so we have been trying to rest as much as we can to get healthy! The last thing we need is for our new, little guy to enter the world while Josh and Ty are sick! Definitely bad timing for sickness, but I guess it's good that it's happening now. Hopefully we'll kick these infections before Bib Dos makes his grand entrance!

I am now 38 weeks pregnant, and ready for this little man to get here! He, however, must have different plans. At my doctor's appointment this week, my doctor checked me and said I am no where near dilated yet. So Bib Dos will be hanging out in there for a bit longer. I guess he's comfortable! :-) So, I am anxiously and nervously awaiting to go into labor. If he waits too much past my due date (Jan. 12), then they will take him by C-section. It is all in the Good Lord's hands now, and we know this baby will arrive in His perfect timing for us!

So, Bib Dos will definitely be born in 2010! We look forward to what this new year brings...the excitement of adding another baby to our family, and watching Ty and his new brother continue to grow! We want to wish you all a Happy New Year as well! May the Good Lord bless you as you say goodbye to 2009 and ring in a brand, new year! Happy New Year!!

Christmas with the Kinsel's!

Since we can't travel home for Christmas this year, our awesome families have decided to bring Christmas to us! We celebrated Christmas with the Kinsel side this past Saturday. Mamaw and Papaw Kinsel loaded up all the presents in their car, and brought them from Cincinnati to Fort Knox! We are still not sure how they fit everything into their car...you should have seen the presents piled up and around our tree! We had a big, yummy Christmas dinner, and opened all the gifts. Mamaw and Papaw spoiled us...Ty and Gabrielle got a ton of clothes and toys, and Brandi, Chris, Josh, and I got way too much as well! We love you with all our hearts, Kinsel's and Miller's! Thanks for coming down to celebrate with us...it means the world to us, and we thank the Good Lord for you all! We are so blessed to have such wonderful family in our lives!

Gabrielle loves to hold Ty!

Ty and Daddy

Gabrielle, Brandi, and Chris

Ty was surrounded with a huge pile of presents...all for him!

Gabrielle models one of her gifts for Mamaw and her Daddy.

What a Stinker!

We put up our Christmas decorations last weekend, and boy has it been fun trying to keep our ornery 15-month-old out of everything! Josh used fishing line to secure the Christmas tree to the wall to keep it from falling when Ty pulls on it, so at least our little stink pot won't pull it down on himself! He knows he isn't allowed to touch the tree, but of course he tries anyway! I caught him in action this morning: :-)

And here's how he tried to make it right so he wouldn't get in too much trouble:

Thanksgiving, Pregnancy, and More!

We went home to Cincinnati for the last time as a family of 3 at Thanksgiving. Since I am now 34 weeks pregnant, we cannot travel out of the Fort Knox area without the risk of me going into labor. If we are too far away from the Army hospital, our insurance won't cover us if we happen to have the baby. Yikes! We can't risk that, so, unfortunately, we won't be able to go home for Christmas. :-( So, Thanksgiving was our last trip home for a while, and we had such a great time! Ty got to ride in his new "big boy car seat" for the first time (yes, he finally weighs 20 lbs. now!) We ate lots of yummy food, and Ty had a blast exploring his new surroundings (getting into everything in sight) and playing with his cousins Maddie and Gabrielle. Below are some pics from our trip.

I can't believe it, but it is almost time for Bib Dos's arrival into this world! I only have 39 days to go until my due date! I have no idea where the time went! This pregnancy has gone so much faster than my first one! I guess that's what happens when you have a little guy to chase around all day. Physically, I am ready for this baby to get here (I want my body back!). Mentally, I'm not so sure. Am I really ready to be a mommy times 2? We are anxious, but so excited to meet the precious, new addition to our family! Josh and I wonder if he'll look just like Ty or totally different? What will his little personality be like? Will we have as much fun watching him grow and learn as we have with Ty? We can't imagine having another gorgeous little guy to love so much! How exciting it is! This pregnancy has gone great so far, and we are now in the home stretch! Please pray for us as we get closer to having this new little one!

Ty has been so cute lately. He learns or does something new everyday. He gives and blows kisses. He says, "Yeah" when you ask him a question. He even knows some sign language now (it's about time since we've been signing to him since he was about 6 months old)! He knows the sign for sleep, all done, and daddy (of course he doesn't do the mommy sign...go figure). He is waving hi and bye-bye (with both hands and backwards) pretty consistently now. He loves to climb on anything he can, and is the most curious little thing ever! He knows where his baby brother is (when you ask him he runs over to my big belly, lifts my shirt, and gives his baby brother a kiss), but we don't think he quite understands that there will be another little person here soon. We don't think he'll be jealous at all, only because he will be too young to truly understand what's going on. It's going to be very interesting to see how Ty reacts to Bib Dos!

Josh has been working hard. His unit put him into a new school this week (a course that teaches him how to be a Cav Scout Leader), and he has been working his tail off. Wednesday was a night of no sleep for him because he had an "Op Order" to work on. Poor guy! This course is only 3 weeks long, but it is intense. Please pray for him that he stays healthy, gets enough rest, and passes this course with flying colors! Thanks for all your prayers and support! We continue to count our blessings, and the Good Lord has truly been so awesome to us!


Ty in his "big boy car seat"

Cousin Maddie and Ty-Ty

Mamaw, Cousin Gabrielle, and Ty

Gabrielle kept telling us she wanted to "hold her"...meaning Ty! :-)

Gabrielle, Papaw, and Ty

Video of Maddie and Ty trying to pull apart the wishbone!

Happy Veterans Day!

We just want to say Happy Veterans Day to all those who have served or are currently serving our country in the United States Military! We are so thankful for your bravery and dedication! Happy Veterans Day!

Gatlinburg!

This past weekend, we traveled to Gatlinburg with Meemaw and Pawpaw Mertz. We met the rest of our family and some friends there. There were 6 couples and 3 kiddos all in one chalet in the gorgeous Smoky Mountains! The weather was so beautiful, and we had a great time! We went on a short hike to Laurel Falls, and did some shopping on Saturday. We went to the Applebarn restaurant on Sunday before traveling back home. It was fun to spend time with family in an awesome Chalet! Here are some pictures of our trip:

Beautiful view from our balcony!

Family pic in front of Laurel Falls

Ty, Maddie, and Jackson in their jammies...aren't they cute?!

Another family pic on the balcony

Pic of the whole group in the driveway of our chalet

Back at home, I was putting something away in the fridge, and when I turned my back look at what our little stinker was doing:

He climbed into the fridge, trying to get his milk down from the top shelf! What a stink pot!

Better Late Than Never, Right?

I just realized that I never did post our pictures from Halloween, so here they are! After all the Halloween costumes we had for Ty, we decided to use none of them! He went as a Cowboy/Cav Scout. Ty had a trick-or-treating buddy, Parker, who went as a dinosaur. Ty had fun, and got lots of candy!

Ty loves his stetson!

Ty and Parker getting ready for their first trick-or-treat!

Ty and Charlotte, the lady bug...one of the day care kiddos I used to watch

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from the Kinsel Family! Click here to watch our Halloween video (thanks, Hupps)!

Pumpkin decorating party!

This morning the FCC (Family Child Care) had a pumpkin decorating party for the day care kids and providers. Since I am technically still a day care provider (I occasionally watch the provider's kiddos in their own homes), Ty and I were invited! It was so much fun! Ty got to play with all the other kids (which he loved), play in the gym with all the toys, listen to a story, and even decorate a pumpkin! What fun we had! We are definitely ready for Halloween!

Crawling through the tunnel

Ty loved these cones!

Ty with the pumpkin we decorated!

Patriotic Peacock's Giveaway!

My friend, Kathlyn, at The Patriotic Peacock is hosting a great giveaway! Also, check out CSNStores.com for all your children’s needs from nursery furniture to toys!

Pumpkin Patch Kid!

We took Ty to a couple of local pumpkin patches this past weekend, and boy did we have fun! It was a bit cold, but we bundled Ty up in his big winter coat and Bengals hat. He got to see some animals, go through a corn maze, jump in the bouncy house, and pick out a pumpkin! Here are some pictures of our adventures:


Ty loves the bouncy house!

Look at all those pumpkins!

He had fun in this huge pumpkin!

Riding in the cart of mums!

Our pretty mums, and family of pumpkins...Daddy, Mommy, Ty, and even Bib Dos!

Fall is so beautiful here!

Daddy called the pigs over for us, and Ty thought his pig call was hilarious!

3-1 IBCT Activation Ceremony

Josh's brigade (3-1 IBCT) held an Activation Ceremony yesterday. 3-1 was de-activated back at Ft. Hood, TX after it's re-deployment from Afghanistan this past summer in order to prepare for their move to Ft. Knox, KY. This past Friday, there was a ceremony held that re-activated the brigade at it's new home in Ft. Knox. Ty and I attended the ceremony despite the cold, dreary day. I am so glad we went! It was awesome to see Josh's whole brigade come together to unite as they prepare to do their part to defend our great country! It made me so proud to be the wife of such a brave man who is fighting for our freedom! And I know it made Ty proud of his daddy too!

Here are a couple pics of the ceremony:

Josh's Unit, 6-4 CAV, is to the left of the horses.

Josh is the second soldier from the right in the first row of soldiers facing front.

HallZOOween!

Josh and I took Ty to the Louisville Zoo for the "World's Largest Halloween Party" last night. It was so much fun! Josh and I really enjoyed seeing all the little ones in their adorable costumes! There were cute kiddos everywhere you looked! We got to go trick-or-treating throughout the Zoo, we saw some animals, and some of our favorite Halloween characters too! We love Halloween!


Isn't he the cutest Spider-baby you ever did see?

Daddy, Ty, and Superman!

Ty wasn't sure what to think of Batman!

Happy Halloween!

Halloween Costume

Mommy tortured me today by making me try on four different Halloween costumes! At first I thought it was fun, but then she just kept making me change costumes and I got mad. Which one do you think I should wear for Halloween? Vote on our poll please! Below are pictures of me in each choice. Thanks!

Love,

Ty

Dinosaur! (this one was the last costume Mommy made me try on...can you tell I'm not having fun anymore?)

Ninja!

Incredible Hulk!

Spiderman!

Fall Fun

We have had a fun Fall so far! A few weekends back, our friends, the Hupp's, came down for a visit! They are great friends, and we are so grateful they came down to spend time with us! Kathy and Greg have three gorgeous kiddos (Avery, Sydney, and Colton), and we always love hanging out with them! We took them to the Patton Museum here on post, and here are some pics of the kids:

This is the only pic I could get of Colton! He doesn't like getting his picture taken!


Here are the girls in front of a tank. Syd is on the left, Avery the right.


Ty has been experimenting with walking these past few weeks. He has been taking a small step here and a small step there. But last night he walked clear across the room! Josh and I are such proud parents! We have been trying to catch his walking attempts on video. Here's the best one we have so far:

Pretty soon daddy and a very pregnant (and extremely large) mommy will be chasing this little man around! :-)

Can you tell Ty is our first born?

We hope we are as good at taking pictures and documenting Bib Dos' "firsts" as we are for our firstborn son, Ty! All our posts have been about Ty lately...we are having so much fun documenting his "firsts"!

Ty got his first haircut last night! He was getting a little shaggy over the ears, and Josh said he was growing a mullet in the back, so we decided to get him a little trim. I don't know how the hairdresser did it because Ty is such a wiggle worm, but she managed to trim him up good! She gave us the first few locks of hair as a memento. We are going to put it in his baby book! He looks so cute with his new "do"...like a little man!

BEFORE:

DURING: Ty was fascinated with the comb the hairdresser gave him!

AFTER: No more shag around the ears, and the mullet is gone!

In other news....

This is my first week of freedom! My daycare is officially closed, and I am loving it! I am now just a stay-at-home mommy, trying to enjoy my last few months with Ty before Bib Dos makes his grand entrance into the world. Josh is happy to have our house (and his non-stressed out wife) back. We are doing great, and are looking forward to lots more family time!

Ty is growing everyday and learning by leaps and bounds! I'm not sure he knows what to think about not having the daycare kids (and toys) around anymore. He likes having mommy's undivided attention again, but I think he misses having his "buddies" around to entertain and play with him! I will have to make sure to take him to lots of playgroups and play dates! He is so close to walking! He stands on his own now, and runs up and down the furniture...as long as he has something to hold onto. Any day now we expect him to just go for it without any help! He had his one year doctor's appointment this week, and it was a rough one! He had to get 2 shots in each leg, and then they even took a couple vials of blood to test him for anemia and lead poisoning. That was not fun for Ty OR Mommy! I had to hold the poor boy down while they stuck that needle in his arm. He took it like a champ, and he is all better now! Gosh it's hard to watch your baby in pain, though! He still only weighs 18 pounds, 10 ounces. We were hoping he'd be at the 20 lb. mark so we could switch his car seat around, but he fell short just a bit. We also discovered he wasn't tolerating cow's milk very well (had a bad rash all around his mouth and body) so we cut out all dairy, and are giving him soy milk. His rash cleared up instantly, and he seems to be doing fine with the soy milk! We decided to take the bottle completely away. No more bottles for Ty. We were worried about doing it, but he is taking it just fine! I am glad we are doing it now because he doesn't even realize it's gone! So, that is what's going on in Ty's world!